When it was over, and Chris Mullin’s first win as a coach was in the books, he made his way toward the southeast corner of the stands, to kiss the left hand of the man who brought him to St. John’s.
Lou Carnesecca, the former St. John’s coach and Mullin’s North Star since he was 10, sat in Section 7, Row FF, Seat 8. When Mullin began climbing the stairs toward him, the 90-year-old Carnesecca broke into a grin.
“He said I looked all neat and sharp, but that’s not going to last,” Mullin said. “Soon my shirt will be hanging out and my tie will be undone.